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Post by Wayland on Jan 7, 2022 14:36:22 GMT -8
The Ogre is content to stare into the light at the heart of the flickering hearth until she notices the flask being offered in her direction. She glances at Aster’s face for a moment, then takes the flask, tipping it towards the Beast in salute before taking a pull. She expects something strong, and is not disappointed when the whiskey meets her tongue. Her chin dips in a small nod of approval as she passes the flask back to her colleague.
Mention of the Hunt brings a flash of memory; driving her knife into that man’s back. Sinking it into his kidney. Twisting. The rush of blood. In the aftermath of the ritual she’d had to burn those jeans she’d worn. She’d never done anything like that before; killing in cold blood. It was necessary and she doesn’t regret it, it served their mission and it served justice. But it’s not an experience she’d recommend.
The chase on the other hand? Ripping down the highway in pursuit of her prey, laughing and roaring and working with her comrades like a hunting pack, hearing her blood sing? That is an experience worth reliving.
The compliment draws a small smile, “Thanks,” she says in reply, silver cufflinks flashing as she straightens her arm to adjust the fall of one sleeve. “Tailoring has been an interesting challenge. Same to you, of course,” she adds, her eyes making a downward sweep to indicate the Beast’s dress.
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 7, 2022 20:21:16 GMT -8
The smile spread, sharp fangs glinting in the fire as lips pulled to showcase vivid blue gums and a matching tongue. The Venombite laughed at the Maker's words, thinking back to how she had ended up in this new article.
"Me? Fuck no... Let's just say I let it slip to the wrong person that I was heading to a holiday party," Aster said, "Or the right one, I guess. Depends on how you look at it. Either way. Something about my jacket smelling too much like tobacco and I've learned she isn't one to really ignore. Wouldn't hear the end of it. So... you all get me in heels. For tonight at least."
She let the statement sit. THe clothes might be different, but the same rough serpent rested beneath the shiny veneer. Seeming to drive the point home, the Viper took the flask from the Ogre, tossing back a healthy shot. You could shine up a Beast as much as you wanted, but their nature still shone through as well as it must.
"So, what's cooking, good looking?" she asked, "How's life?"
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Post by Wayland on Jan 7, 2022 21:00:00 GMT -8
She’d gotten a look at Aster’s mouth during the Hunt of course. But they’d been pretty focused on other things. Seeing her casual, up close, doesn’t exactly give Wayland pause, but it does draw her interest for a moment. A thought flits by about how weird it must be to hide fangs in your mouth, before she discards it. If she thinks about that too hard, she’ll hurt her brain.
When Aster explains that she’s not responsible for her own sartorial choices, Wayland’s lips curl in a small smile. “It’s working for you. Take the compliment,” she advises with a tilt of her head, white hair falling across one side of her undercut. She watches her colleague down another shot of whiskey without comment, and without reaching for the flask again herself. Better for her own sake if she keeps her wits about her tonight.
“Ahhhhh,” the sigh has a weary air to it, “Life is complicated.” Her expression pinches like she’s tasted something sour. “And confusing.” She shrugs, and her expression eases. “But it goes on. Just living it day by day. How about you?”
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 8, 2022 1:57:12 GMT -8
The Viper's smile remained as she secreted away the flask back within the confines of her clutch. Drinking was an easy path to tread, but she didn't want to leave the night in ruin.
"Maybe it is," Aster offered at the repeated compliment, "but it ain't wholly me either is it? Either way though, fine. Glad to know I'm pulling it off, but I'll leave the role of socialite to those that can run it, you feel?"
Aster would not at the sigh and vague answer. However, the serpentine Beast was far from a therapist and wasn't one to pry overly much unless duty demanded it. If Wayland wanted to, she could keep discomfort to herself. Nonetheless, she did have a retort as Wayland affirmed a complicated and confusing life.
"Yep, but that's the Game right?"
Thereafter, Aster's shrugging mirrors Wayland's own.
"Surviving," she answers, "Keeping my head down and ears out. When duty calls, I'll be there. 'til then same old shit. Training, occasional favors for a few friends in low places, and playing handyman for cash."
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Post by Wayland on Jan 12, 2022 13:39:24 GMT -8
Aster uses a lot of words. Sometimes to say things that are, if not obvious, quickly apparent. It reminds Wayland of Archie a little bit. A thought that distracts her for a moment with regret. The mention of a game draws her attention back with a quirked brow. She’s not sure what game Aster means, but before she can inquire, they’re moving on.
When the Beast mentions playing ‘handyman’, Wayland pauses again. Should she? Her mouth opens. Closes. Her expression is thoughtful as she examines the mantle. Turns back to Aster, “Y’know what, I’ve got something I could probably use a hand with.”
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 12, 2022 15:19:56 GMT -8
The Viper's smile lessens a bit, her expression turning awkward as her meaning isn't readily understood.
"Eh... you know, Us versus Them?" she quiet offers as the Ogre quirks an eyebrow.
However, as Wayland spoke, it soon became Aster's turn grant her company a quizzical look. The Viper's eyes now firmly rested on Wayland's face, her statement having captured the Beast's attention.
"There's a lot of ways that can be taken," the serpent quipped, "So I gotta ask... is this about business? Pleasure? Little of both?"
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Post by Wayland on Jan 12, 2022 23:16:08 GMT -8
Oh. By ‘game’ Aster means Summer’s relationship with the Fae. Wayland’s only ever thought of it as a war. A very personal war, where their enemies are their abusers. A strange war with changing rules and few clear goals, that for them in Vegas has run cold for a while but looks to be getting hotter.
At the beast’s inquiry, Wayland blinks, wets her lips, and lets out a half-muted chuckle as she recovers from her surprise. “Well, I’d hate to take pleasure off the table. But it’s something for the Court. A project I’ve taken on. Have you heard of the Iron Concord?”
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 12, 2022 23:57:58 GMT -8
Aster's gaze remained on Wayland, nigh unblinking as the Ogre spoke of her imminent duty.
"Not the business I was expecting," she admitted, finally breaking her gaze as she realizes she had been staring. Fighting aspects of the Beast within could be difficult, but the Viper was giving it some effort, "but that ain't exactly a bad thing. Duty is good."
The serpentine Courser's face gains an introspective expression as she tries to place the name, but the title itself seems academic, raising doubt about any familiarity. Aster's previous isolation made her ill-informed regarding some of the Entitlements active within the city of sin.
"Don't think so," she said, "Sounds book smart. I'm not usually the type folks seek out for that kind of stuff, but... what do ya need?"
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Post by Wayland on Jan 13, 2022 10:39:10 GMT -8
Oh. Oh wow. Is the Beast that taken with her? Something starts to lighten in Wayland’s chest, some tension loosening. Confidence. A sensation she’s felt too little lately. Her lips quirk, one corner rising higher than the other, showing a hint of sharp, white teeth as she watches Aster go through this series of emotions. She reaches out to rest one silver hand on the mantle over the fireplace, and lean slightly, changing the angle and line of her body, a little more extended, a little more open, a little closer, and watching how the Beast reacts.
“I need backup,” she says with a tilt of her chin towards Aster, and another sweeping glance. “The Concord is an old armory. Leftover from the civil war, more than a decade ago. Sweeney tells me it’s full of bad vibes and Freehold blood. But that was long before my time, I don’t have any baggage from back then, so Sweeney gave me access so I can check it out, see what might be useful, what needs a tune-up.”
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Jan 13, 2022 12:56:29 GMT -8
The Beast had rapidly scanned the room once it had been obvious Sedna was busy for some other people to bother entertain. His eyes settled on two familiar figures - Aster and Wayland. He had hunted with both and so felt comfortable approaching them.
"Happy Winter Solstice" he offered by way of greeting. A fresh cup of mulled wine warmed his hands a steam lazily. "It's nice to see you both again. Am I interrupting something?" He offered a smile as warm as his drink to the two Summers while he assessed the conversation.
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 13, 2022 13:10:07 GMT -8
Aster's eyes shift to the Maker's arm as she sensed the movement, watching as it rested on the mantle and Wayland visibly relaxed. As the Ogre edged closer, the proud Beast didn't even flinch, matching Wayland's smirk with one of her own.
"Well, shit," the Viper said, her smirk possessing a sense of mirth as she leaned on the mantle, "You know... usually people call me when something or someone needs to be broken, not the other way around."
The Viper fell silent for a moment, her mind working through Wayland's proposal as she searched the Ogre's features.
"I'll say this. I ain't that smart or that well versed when it comes to the Other side of our lives, you feel? That said I got good handle on some crafting and repairing. If you what you want from me ain't gonna need a ton of whimsy, we should be fine," Aster continued, laying it out plain for Wayland to see. "So, that being said, I'm familiar enough with Freehold blood, even if it ain't here in Vegas. If you think my help in this stands a chance of sparing Las Vegas the fate of Chico, I'm there. I'll do what I can."
Brash and informal as she could be, duty was important to the Viper. It seemed like all she really had these days beyond her connection to Luisa, with her life among Mankind having been torn away from her at an early age, and she had been long starved of her desire to assist a Freehold in its defense. Aster was willing to help the Ogre, so long as Wayland in turn understood her limits. Aster was not a scholar by any stretch, nor a formal smith. She was a Beast that happened to have a hobby and liking for repairing things in her spare time.
Then came a familiar voice and Aster turned to behold the peacock Beast that was Hua Yuan.
"Sup, Yuan! Happy Solstice to you too," she offered with a smile, "Just talking shop, nothing urgent. How you been?"
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Post by Wayland on Jan 13, 2022 20:38:40 GMT -8
Wayland and Aster hold each other’s attention for that pensive moment, neither shying away. The space and silence stretches out languidly between them. Until the Beast answers her, in detail. Whimsy is the word Aster uses, and isn’t that what Archie always calls it? Again, her attention drifts, just for a fraction of a second, as the memory distracts her. It returns when Aster sets her expectations, but agrees to come along, Wayland’s confidence and small smirk returning with it. Though she’s not sure what Aster meant about Chico. What’s up with that?
Before she can ask, they’re joined by a Spring courtier. The warmth in Wayland’s chest cools a degree. Not because she dislikes Yuan. It just means the conversation has become a little less… intimate. Wayland’s usually more comfortable with smaller groups. Still, her smile remains, if a little less sharp. “Happy Solstice. Good to see you, Yuan.”
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Hua Yuan
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Presence 2 - Nostalgic; SL 1 - Flawless
Posts: 304
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Post by Hua Yuan on Jan 17, 2022 11:29:31 GMT -8
The Playmate froze for a second, as the reality of the conversation became apparent to him. He had walked in on a somewhat private conversation and had derailed the mood. Anxiety forced his brain into overdrive, cogs spinning to figure out how to salvage the situation.
"Oh, shop talk. Well Wayland, you're in good hands. Aster is a reliable person, you can quote me on that. She put up with me for an entire evening."
He came off as trying to redirect attention to himself. His anxiety spiked, causing him to stutter and his joke to fall flat. His cheeks coloured to rose gold and his eyes darted from Wayland to Aster while the uncomfortable silence drew on.
"I didn't mean- What I wanted to say was..." He let out a sharp breath, resigned that the situation was salvageable. Humanity dictated that blunders were normal and that some even find them endearing. Still, hollow panic blossomed in his stomach, a sense of impending doom.
Please don't hate me.
"Anyway. Anything I can help with?"
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Post by Aster Blau on Jan 20, 2022 21:23:31 GMT -8
Aster's smile lessened a bit, looking confused at the stumbling compliment before ultimately letting it slide away in the best way she knew how - by ignoring it entirely.
"Not sure if you could," she said, "Seems like a Summer deal, you feel?"
The smile returned before the Viper granted the peacock a shrug.
"Either way, I don't know if it really needs to be discussed in detail right now," she continued, "Besides we're supposed to be taking stock, right? On the year and whatever. Best way to do that is in good company and you're pretty alright, Yuan."
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Post by Wayland on Jan 20, 2022 23:19:42 GMT -8
How curious, Wayland had just earlier been suggesting that Aster not try to evade a compliment, now here comes Yuan with a self-deprecating joke. It’s even a cute joke, though his delivery falls short when some kind of anxiety overtakes him. It’s also interesting to know that Aster and Yuan apparently have associated outside the Ashen Hunt. That makes sense come to think of it; they’re both shooters. So is Wayland, though she hadn’t been called upon to demonstrate it that night.
She tilts her chin in agreement when Aster mentions that they can set their ‘shop talk’ aside for now. As the subject of taking stock comes up, Wayland’s eyes go distant for a moment. “It’s been a weird year,” she says with a slow, pensive tone. Then a tightness comes to her eyes, her mouth forming a thin line. “And a hard one…” There’s a sinking feeling in her chest as for a moment, her deepest wish is for Linden to appear out of the crowd, armed with a drink and a diversion.
The thought makes her lift her gaze and scan the crowd, looking for her only remaining connection to that motley: Riley. She searches for them fruitlessly for a moment, before looking back down to her glass of mulled wine and then raising it to her lips for a drink.
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